Pope Mine Wash Loop in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, AZ

Hike Pope Mine Wash Loop Lake Mead National Recreation Area, AZ

Class 3 14.9 miles 4500 gain 7-10 hrs Loop Mar 24, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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This loop visits a seldom-visited area of Lake Mead National Recreation Area. It's a product of my insatiable excitement to explore as much of the incredible desert landscape that follows the Colorado River on the border of Nevada and Arizona. I named this route Pope Mine Wash Loop because we kept entering and leaving this major drainage, and all peaks we went for surrounded it. Additionally, none of the peaks are named, and it was really mostly just a long exploratory day of the Pope Mine Wash area. My original plans were significantly different than what we ended up doing, mostly because there were technical dryfalls in Pope Mine Wash, but the route ended up being a blast. Austin isn't as excited about the volcanic insanity, mostly because the terrain is particularly rugged and slow-moving, but he joined me to escape the monotony of the COVID-19 quarantine.

To get to the trailhead, navigate to here (35.80008, -114.63307) and take the road on the right labeled Malpais Mesa Road to reach the wilderness boundary. We left the trailhead and popped up over a low saddle, then dropped south into the sandy Pope Mine Wash. There were wildflowers everywhere and a couple of Class 2 obstacles as we continued farther. The wash narrowed into a somewhat narrow section and we hit a dryfall. I probably should have studied satellite maps more. We were able to find a bypass by going up and over the ridge to the left (blue line on attached map). Alternatively (and this was a route I scouted on the way back), before entering the narrows of Pope Mine Wash, you could leave and head east to enter a side drainage that allows for a Class 2 down climb within a short, pretty section of narrows (this jumble is better visualized using the attached map).

We continued through Pope Mine Wash (let's call it the west fork), passing a really cool balanced boulder and some very tall sheer walls until we were stopped by another dryfall. Rather than look for a way down into the wash (since we realized more dryfalls are likely at this point).

January 2022 Update: I recruited a lovely group of local canyoneers to descend this technical section of canyon, and it turned out to include two rappels, about 50' and 30', respectively. We created a deadman/cairn anchor combo for each. This was likely a first descent. I included some photos of this section of canyon at the very end of my trip report photos below.

Assuming you don't take the technical section, we headed to the right of the technical rappel and headed up a steep slope to head over to Peak 1982. The best views of the day were this short section as we approached Peak 1982. We had the Colorado River to the west and the other peaks of the day to the east. We approached Peak 1982's northern slopes, already pretty sure we wouldn't be able to summit due to the cliffs surrounding the summit. We wrapped all the way around the peak in an attempt to locate an easy way up, but the rock is very poor, and the only spot we thought could possibly work was on the southeast side, and still definitely Class 5. We skipped the peak, dropping farther south and navigated Class 2 gullies and cliffs to reach the drainage separating Peak 1982 and Peak 1480. Some Class 2 scrambling led to the summit of Peak 1480, where the views of the Colorado River and down into Pope Mine Cove were really nice. We continued southwest and entered Pope Mine Wash again, passing through colorful hills.

Once in Pope Mine Wash again, rather than look for a route to the east to get up to Peak 2120 more easily (I'm pretty sure there would be at least one way up, though I can't confirm that), we decided to head north through Pope Mine Wash. I wanted to check out a narrower section I noticed on a satellite map, and hoped we could get through the whole wash without needing to back track. Along the way, we headed up the west fork (the route we would have come down earlier if there wasn't that previously mentioned dryfall impediment), and quickly were stopped by another dryfall. This canyon is definitely technical and maybe one day I'll come back to check it out with ropes.

Anyway, we continued up the east fork of Pope Mine Wash, where the cliffs were tall and colorful. The canyon narrowed into an unexpected slot with a couple of Class 3 moves. I was losing my mind with excitement to find this tiny gem. Once the short narrow section opened up, we headed right up a grassy slope in order to make our way up to Peak 2120. We side-hilled for a bit, descending a little, to reach the base of a notch to the north of Peak 2120. The main drainage leading to this notch was riddled with cliffs. Fortunately, a Class 2 scramble led up a gully on the right, taking us safely to higher ground. An unexpectedly long walk led us through a small drainage separating two small ridges, Peak 2120 the peak on the right, but not visible until we were practically next to it. We reached its summit and got some great views of our route so far, and of Peak 2871 to come. We backtracked and then dropped off to the east, heading down a steep slope.

Once at the base of the slope, we navigated around some hills and gullies to enter a major drainage coming down from Peak 2871. We followed this drainage to its head, passing some Class 2+ obstacles and then some steep stuff at the top. Class 2 volcanic boulders led to the summit of Peak 2871. We dropped down to the north and navigated gullies and washes until we made it back to Pope Mine Wash again, following it back to the car.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Peak 1892 (Attempt)
1892 ft
332 rise
2
Peak 1480
1480 ft
360 rise
3
Peak 2120
2120 ft
400 rise
4
Peak 2871
2871 ft
551 rise

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Starting down Pope Mine Wash.
Starting down Pope Mine Wash.
Image 1 from gallery
Pope Mine Wash begins to narrow.
Pope Mine Wash begins to narrow.
Image 3 from gallery
Image 4 from gallery
Image 5 from gallery
Dryfall in Pope Mine Wash. We bypassed it be heading over the ridge behind Austin. Alternatively, before entering the narrows seen in the previous few pictures, cross the desert and enter a minor drainage to the east of Pope Mine Wash (next couple photos)
Dryfall in Pope Mine Wash. We bypassed it be heading over the ridge behind Austin. Alternatively, before entering the narrows seen in the previous few pictures, cross the desert and enter a minor drainage to the east of Pope Mine Wash (next couple photos)
Small drainage east of Pope Mine Wash, avoiding the dryfall and bypass.
Small drainage east of Pope Mine Wash, avoiding the dryfall and bypass.
Small drainage east of Pope Mine Wash, avoiding the dryfall and bypass.
Small drainage east of Pope Mine Wash, avoiding the dryfall and bypass.
Back in Pope Mine Wash, a really cool balanced rock.
Back in Pope Mine Wash, a really cool balanced rock.
Continuing down Pope Mine Wash as the walls become taller.
Continuing down Pope Mine Wash as the walls become taller.
Pope Mine Wash soon opens up a bit, but then we were stopped by another major dryfall. We ascended the slope on the top left to avoid the dryfall.
Pope Mine Wash soon opens up a bit, but then we were stopped by another major dryfall. We ascended the slope on the top left to avoid the dryfall.
Looking back into Pope Mine Wash, the technical section visible in the center. We left the wash to ascend a slope since we didn't have any rappel gear. January 2022 update: the canyon pictured center is a short technical canyon that we descended. Photos of this short technical section can be found at the end of this trip report.
Looking back into Pope Mine Wash, the technical section visible in the center. We left the wash to ascend a slope since we didn't have any rappel gear. January 2022 update: the canyon pictured center is a short technical canyon that we descended. Photos of this short technical section can be found at the end of this trip report.
At the top of the slope, looking west toward Peak 1982.
At the top of the slope, looking west toward Peak 1982.
Another shot back down into Pope Mine Wash as Austin gets to the top of the slope.
Another shot back down into Pope Mine Wash as Austin gets to the top of the slope.
Heading toward Peak 1982.
Heading toward Peak 1982.
Peak 1982 ahead. We wrapped around it on the right in search of a way up.
Peak 1982 ahead. We wrapped around it on the right in search of a way up.
Wrapping around Peak 1982.
Wrapping around Peak 1982.
Peak 1480 visible on the left (our next peak).
Peak 1480 visible on the left (our next peak).
Class 5 on Peak 1982. This seemed to be the easiest section, but the rock quality was poor and we decided to skip the peak.
Class 5 on Peak 1982. This seemed to be the easiest section, but the rock quality was poor and we decided to skip the peak.
At the base of Peak 1982, looking east toward Peak 2120 (right) and Peak 2871 (left). We would get both of them later in the day.
At the base of Peak 1982, looking east toward Peak 2120 (right) and Peak 2871 (left). We would get both of them later in the day.
Heading south from Peak 1982, whose cliffs are seen here.
Heading south from Peak 1982, whose cliffs are seen here.
Peak 1480 ahead. We dropped down to a small wash separating Peak 1982 and Peak 1480, and ascended Peak 1480 on the left slopes in this photo. There were some cliffs to navigate around as we descended.
Peak 1480 ahead. We dropped down to a small wash separating Peak 1982 and Peak 1480, and ascended Peak 1480 on the left slopes in this photo. There were some cliffs to navigate around as we descended.
Ascending Peak 1480, Peak 1982 visible center left. You can see Peak 2871 on the distant top right, our last peak of the day.
Ascending Peak 1480, Peak 1982 visible center left. You can see Peak 2871 on the distant top right, our last peak of the day.
Summit of Peak 1480, view north. Malpais Flattop Mesa visible top right.
Summit of Peak 1480, view north. Malpais Flattop Mesa visible top right.
Summit of Peak 1480, view south. Pope Mine Cove hidden somewhere in the center.
Summit of Peak 1480, view south. Pope Mine Cove hidden somewhere in the center.
Summit of Peak 1480, view northeast. Peak 1982 on the left, Peak 2871 center, Peak 2120 right. Next up was Peak 2120 on the right. We dropped down into Pope Mine Wash (hidden in this photo) on the right somewhere.
Summit of Peak 1480, view northeast. Peak 1982 on the left, Peak 2871 center, Peak 2120 right. Next up was Peak 2120 on the right. We dropped down into Pope Mine Wash (hidden in this photo) on the right somewhere.
Colorful hills as we head down into Pope Mine Wash.
Colorful hills as we head down into Pope Mine Wash.
Pope Mine Wash, heading north.
Pope Mine Wash, heading north.
Pope Mine Wash.
Pope Mine Wash.
West fork of Pope Mine Wash, trying to see if we could make it all the way up to the dryfall that stopped us earlier.
West fork of Pope Mine Wash, trying to see if we could make it all the way up to the dryfall that stopped us earlier.
Nope. Another dryfall. Definitely a technical canyon.
Nope. Another dryfall. Definitely a technical canyon.
After returning down the west fork, we went up the east fork, here.
After returning down the west fork, we went up the east fork, here.
Colorful and big cliffs in the east fork of Pope Mine Wash.
Colorful and big cliffs in the east fork of Pope Mine Wash.
Image 34 from gallery
Pope Mine Wash getting narrow.
Pope Mine Wash getting narrow.
Unexpected narrows in Pope Mine Wash's east fork.
Unexpected narrows in Pope Mine Wash's east fork.
A couple of Class 3 moves in this short narrow section.
A couple of Class 3 moves in this short narrow section.
Image 38 from gallery
Image 39 from gallery
After exiting the narrow section, we headed up the grassy slope on the right in order to get up to Peak 2120.
After exiting the narrow section, we headed up the grassy slope on the right in order to get up to Peak 2120.
Looking back into the narrow section as we ascend the slope.
Looking back into the narrow section as we ascend the slope.
After ascending the slope, looking south. The cliff in the center is a false summit of Peak 2120. We side-hilled down into the notch to the left of the cliff in the center of this photo.
After ascending the slope, looking south. The cliff in the center is a false summit of Peak 2120. We side-hilled down into the notch to the left of the cliff in the center of this photo.
Looking back as we side-hill. Peak 1982 top left.
Looking back as we side-hill. Peak 1982 top left.
After side-hilling, we got to the notch pictured here. The cliffs on the right are the same seen two photos ago. The gully in the center is a Class 2 bypass. Fortunately it was there because the main drainage from the notch was cliffy.
After side-hilling, we got to the notch pictured here. The cliffs on the right are the same seen two photos ago. The gully in the center is a Class 2 bypass. Fortunately it was there because the main drainage from the notch was cliffy.
Ascending the Class 2 gully.
Ascending the Class 2 gully.
Fairly long minor drainage separating two small ridges. Peak 2120 eventually comes in on the right.
Fairly long minor drainage separating two small ridges. Peak 2120 eventually comes in on the right.
Ascending to Peak 2120, Peak 2871 visible top center.
Ascending to Peak 2120, Peak 2871 visible top center.
Peak 2120 summit, view west. Peak 1480 visible center, Peak 1982 far right.
Peak 2120 summit, view west. Peak 1480 visible center, Peak 1982 far right.
Peak 2120 summit, view northeast toward Peak 2871. We dropped down to the drainage at the bottom, then navigated hills until we entered a major drainage that led to the base of the peak.
Peak 2120 summit, view northeast toward Peak 2871. We dropped down to the drainage at the bottom, then navigated hills until we entered a major drainage that led to the base of the peak.
Looking back up toward Peak 2120. We descended from the saddle on the right.
Looking back up toward Peak 2120. We descended from the saddle on the right.
Heading up a major drainage.
Heading up a major drainage.
Peak 2871 visible ahead.
Peak 2871 visible ahead.
Looking back as we ascend the drainage.
Looking back as we ascend the drainage.
Peak 2871 center, the drainage getting more rocky and steep.
Peak 2871 center, the drainage getting more rocky and steep.
The drainage ends in a steep Class 2+ slope (not pictured), and then ascends a mellow slope to just below the summit of Peak 2871. This view is looking southwest toward Peak 2120.
The drainage ends in a steep Class 2+ slope (not pictured), and then ascends a mellow slope to just below the summit of Peak 2871. This view is looking southwest toward Peak 2120.
Peak 2871 ahead.
Peak 2871 ahead.
Austin ascending the Class 2 summit of Peak 2871.
Austin ascending the Class 2 summit of Peak 2871.
Peak 2871 summit, view southwest toward Peak 2120 (center). The wash we ascended Peak 2871 visible center.
Peak 2871 summit, view southwest toward Peak 2120 (center). The wash we ascended Peak 2871 visible center.
Peak 2871 summit, view northwest toward Malpais Flattop Mesa.
Peak 2871 summit, view northwest toward Malpais Flattop Mesa.
Close-up toward Malpais Flattop Mesa. We navigated the drainages in the foreground. Our car is at the base of Malpais Flattop Mesa way over there somewhere.
Close-up toward Malpais Flattop Mesa. We navigated the drainages in the foreground. Our car is at the base of Malpais Flattop Mesa way over there somewhere.
After dropping down off Peak 2871, Peak 2871 summit visible on the top right.
After dropping down off Peak 2871, Peak 2871 summit visible on the top right.
Running through washes as we descend back into Pope Mine Wash to complete the loop.
Running through washes as we descend back into Pope Mine Wash to complete the loop.
For those interested in canyoneering, the following photos were taken January 22, when a group of us descended the short technical section outlined with a green dotted line on the attached map. This is the first rappel.
For those interested in canyoneering, the following photos were taken January 22, when a group of us descended the short technical section outlined with a green dotted line on the attached map. This is the first rappel.
Bottom of first rappel.
Bottom of first rappel.
Pretty narrows for a bit.
Pretty narrows for a bit.
More pretty narrows and easy downclimb.
More pretty narrows and easy downclimb.
Narrows within the short technical section.
Narrows within the short technical section.
The canyon opens up a bit before the final rappel.
The canyon opens up a bit before the final rappel.
Second (last) rappel.
Second (last) rappel.
View of the final rappel for this technical section.
View of the final rappel for this technical section.

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Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!